Silver Jubilee Literary Awards And Scholarships Function 2009

Dr. Indu Shahani, Hon'ble Sheriff of Mumbai, lighting the traditional lamp.

Priyadarshni Academy’s Silver Jubilee Literary Awards and Educational Scholarships program was held on March 31, 2009 at the Walchand Hirachand Hall of the Indian Merchants’ Chamber. The program had an important addition – the Inauguration of the Academy’s Youth Wing.

Mrs. Indu Shahani, Hon’ble Sheriff of Mumbai, was the Chief Guest. Mr. Dewang Neralla, Director, Financial Technologies (India) Ltd., Mr. Yogesh Lohiya, Chairman & MD, General Insurance Corporation, and Mr. Nihchal Israni, CMD, Blue Cross Laboratories Ltd. were Guests of Honor.

Literary Awards

Shri Kisharam Lekhraj Rupani Memorial Award for Hindi Literature was presented to Mr. Ved Rahi; Geeta Israni Memorial Literary Award for Marathi Literature to Mr. Thambi Durai (Mr. Shrikant Bojewar), and Prof. Ram Panjwani Memorial Award for Sindhi Literature to Mr. Thakur Chawla.

The awards were presented by Mrs. Indu Shahani, Mr. Nihchal Israni, CMD, Blue Cross Laboratories Ltd. and Dewang Neralla, Director, Financial Technologies (India) Ltd. respectively. The Awards carried a cash prize of Rs. 25000/- each and a glittering trophy.

Mr. Ved Rahi, recipient of the Hindi literary award, has served the All India Radio in Jammu, and the Information Department of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir as Editor of YOJANA (monthly magazine). He was Member of the Film Censor Board and the Hon. General Secretary of the Film Writers Association. His biographical novel entitled “Lal Dad”, depicting the spiritual journey of a Kashmiri poetess was published recently by the National Book Trust. He has also been honored with the Sahitya Academy Award and the Maharashtra Gaurav Award.

The Marathi literary award winner, Mr. Tambi Durai, is the Assistant Editor of Loksatta and a well-known Marathi Journalist, famous columnist, and storywriter. He has authored a number of books and has been a script, dialogue, and story writer for many films. In the past. he has been honored with Atre Pratisthan Puraskar, Patralekhak Puraskar, Bhave Puraskar, and many other awards

Mr. Thakur Chawla, Editor of Hindwasi, was awarded for his literary work and for the services he has rendered to the Sindhi community. He has written a number of short stories and travelogues. He is the Member of the Maharashtra State Sindhi Sahitya Academy, Trustee of Prof. Ram Panjwani Cultural Centre, and Member of the Sahitya Academy in Delhi.

EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

117 scholarships, a record in the history of the Academy were given in the field of engineering, IT, architecture, medicine, education, art, yoga and information technology. The major scholarships were for Rs.10, 000 each and were selected from across the country on the basis of merit and financial need.

After brief speeches by Mr. Rupani and the Guests of Honor, Dr. Shahani spoke about the importance of the program to the beneficiaries. She said that, in her opinion, “the educational scholarships program is the best program of the Academy” because it aims at helping students who are deserving. They give opportunities to students who are in need of them and are a great encouragement to pursue education. These are opportunities which they will cherish lifelong. Speaking about the literary awards, she said “irrespective of the number of awards people may have won, additional awards are always welcome. People can never get tired of appreciation and reward.”

PHOTO GALLERY

Mr. Thakur Chawla, receiving the Prof. Ram Panjwani Memorial Sindhi Literary Award from Dr. Indu Shahani, Hon'ble Sheriff of Mumbai.

Mr. Tambi Durai receiving the Marathi Literary Award from Mr. Nihchal Israni, CMD, Blue Cross Laboratories Ltd.

Mr. Ved Rahi, receiving the Shri Kisharam Lekhraj Rupani Memorial Hindi Literary Award from Mr. Dewang Neralla, Director, Financial Technologies (India) Ltd.

A view of the audience.

A physically handicapped student receiving scholarship from Mr. Nihchal Israni, CMD, Blue Cross Laboratories Ltd.

A student receiving scholarship from Mr. Yogesh Lohiya, Chairman & MD, General Insurance Corporation.